Qantas adds extra flights to Tokyo over the Christmas break

Qantas is gearing up to run extra flights between Sydney and Tokyo’s Narita Airport over the Christmas break.

Catering for strong demand during the peak holiday travel period, QF25 will fly from Sydney to Narita on December 26 2014, and on January 2 and 3 in 2015.

It’s wheels-up 9:45pm for a 6:05am touchdown the next morning – with Qantas’ daily QF21 flight pushing back just 35 minutes later for a 6:20am arrival.

On the return, QF26 runs on December 27, January 3 and January 4, taking to the skies at 7:30pm to reach Sydney at 7:10am the next morning.

Again, that’s a similar time to the existing QF22 flight, which departs and arrives just 20 minutes later.

In December, the seasonal QF25/26 flights are currently pegged for a reconfigured Boeing 747-400 aircraft with A380-style Skybeds in business class, along with new seats and personal touchscreen entertainment in economy and premium economy.

That’s swapped for an older Boeing 747 on QF25/26 in January, with angled lie-flat beds in business class and smaller video screens appearing in both premium economy and economy on January 2, 3 and 4.

It’s not all bad news – the jets currently rostered onto these supplementary flights come with first class seats up the very front, which come at no extra cost to top-tier frequent flyers travelling on a business class ticket.

While not quite a first class upgrade, you’ll still enjoy the same meals and service as you would in business class – but will a fully-flat first class bed for a better night’s sleep.

These additional flights are currently pending government approval, while aircraft configuration is subject to change.